ONLY two years after setting up Serenity Social and Therapeutic Horticulture, retired GP Satinder Sanghera has already got a waiting list of people wishing to take part.
Dr Sanghera, a keen gardener, launched the charity at her Killerby home to help adults improve their physical and mental health through gardening.
The garden features polytunnels, specialised raised beds and workshops to offer a space for rehabilitation and recovery. This year Dr Sanghera and her husband, Mike, with the help of volunteers, have created a woodland walk complete with inspirational plaques where clients can take time to reflect.
This year 18 people have taken part in the 16-week therapy course. Last week was their final session with collective calls of how “great” and “fantastic” the therapy has been for all of them.
Dr Sanghera said: “We are definitely running courses next year and we’ve already got a waiting list of clients. But what is great is that clients who have been with us this year want to help as volunteers next year.”
Dr Sanghera has also added yoga and tai chi to the three hour weekly therapy sessions.
She said: “We are trying to introduce things that clients can take away with them and practice at home. I’m a great believer in tackling the body holistically and not just throwing pills at things. I have a saying and I say it a lot, make the disability small and the personality big.”
She added: “In many cases the condition was how some clients define themselves. The changes in how people view themselves now is how we can effect change.
“They have the right attitude that can make a change and what we do is to show them that they can effect these changes. All our clients are a lot more empowered and trying to do things for themselves and realising they can.”
The therapy sessions have been so successful that this year’s attendees have set up their own Whatsapp group and with the help of wellbeing practitioner Ben Tinkler, are hoping to continue meeting at Ingleton Village Hall for activities.
Dr Sanghera will be taking time over the winter months to make a few changes to the raised bed areas in time for next year’s sessions.
She said: “When we prepared the area we thought the gravel would be fine, but people in wheelchairs and using walkers find it difficult to move on, even with carpet on top, so we’re hoping to find funding to replace this with some paving. I’ve already had quotes of £1,600 to do the work, but it’s now just a case of finding the money.”
For more information about the charity or to volunteer, contact Dr Satinder Sanghera on 07789 640421 or email info@serenitysth.org
